Colorfest and Other Events Pay Tribute to Autumn Season
Colorfest and Other Events Pay Tribute to Autumn Season
By Emily Kirby
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the Autumn tree.” – Emily Bronte
While the views and scenes on Lookout Mountain draw in visitors year-round, the changing leaves against the Autumn sky are truly a wonder to behold. The lower temperatures, cool breezes, and changing leaves make Mentone and the surrounding area the perfect location to see the much anticipated colors of Fall. The winding roads take travelers through tunnels of orange, yellow, red, crimson, and purple that streak across the mountainside.
Aside from the usual parks and overlooks that are perfect for a picturesque view of the colors, the annual Mentone Colorfest held the third weekend in October pays tribute to this time of year by featuring local artisans, food, activities, and live music.
Colorfest is an annual two-day festival that will be presented by the Mentone Area Preservation Association (MAPA) on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature hand-made arts and crafts booths, festival food, music, kids activities, a scarecrow contest, a costumed pet parade, and more.
While traditionally held at Brow Park in Mentone, the festival will make its first appearance this year at Moon Lake Village. The artisan and craftsman village is located at 5866 E. River Road on the former campus of the historic Moon Lake School. The new festival home will combine the beauty of Lookout Mountain with the community’s unique congregation of artists and makers.
Other nearby events:
- Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-in will hold its last installment for the 2022 season on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. Third Saturday features 200+ classic vehicles on display in Fort Payne’s historic downtown district with food vendors and live music.
- Canyon Fest is an annual celebration of art and nature featuring local art, crafts, live animal shows, music, food and fun for the entire family. The festival is free and open to everyone. It will be held on November 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Little River Canyon Center.
- Creative Spirit Market is an open air showcase, with artist demonstrations, locally and regionally created fine and folk art, premium hand-crafted goods, and live acoustic music. The market will be held on November 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. near DeSoto State Park’s picnic area across from the Country Store on County Road 89.
- DeSoto State Park hosts a number of regular classes and workshops, outdoor campfire talks, yoga hikes, and more that give visitors plenty of activities to bring them into nature and learn new hobbies or experiences. Check out their upcoming fall events here.
“Autumn is a second Spring where every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
If your trip to our corner of the state is best spent admiring the incoming color change away from the festival crowds, the local parks give visitors the chance to walk along the hiking trails, admire the cascading waterfalls, and behold the vast beauty of Little River Canyon from various vantage points, all while standing under the canopy of Autumn leaves. While some changes in the leaves will begin to appear in mid-October, the first week of November is usually when will see the area’s peak Fall colors. You can use the fall foliage prediction map to help track changes.
Both DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon are among the “must see” places on a fall foliage road trip through Alabama. Let their many trails, overlooks, and activities serve as your gateway to Autumn.
Don’t forget to book a place to stay in order to have ample time to fit in all the stops and excursions on your trip. The cozy cabins atop Lookout Mountain in Mentone or cottages tucked away in the valley of Fort Payne offer plenty of accommodations for overnight visitors. Find more on where to stay and eat on your next visit.
